Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now, said:
“Approval of Phesgo1 being used on the NHS in England is fantastic news, as thousands of women with HER2 positive breast cancer2 will now benefit from a quicker and kinder treatment method.
“Reducing the time patients need to spend in hospital, this more efficient treatment method also promises to free up precious time for healthcare professionals when the NHS is already under unprecedented strain due to COVID-19.
“Today’s announcement reflects the latest of continued advances in breast cancer treatment.
"Now we hope to see Roche and NHS decision-makers working together to ensure Phesgo is rapidly made available across all of the UK, so even more patients and healthcare professionals alike can reap its benefits.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor
- Phesgo is a fixed-dose combination of pertuzumab (Perjeta) and trastuzumab (Herceptin) that is administered by injection, and which can be given with intravenous chemo. This new administration method by injection cuts the treatment time compared with when the drugs are delivered by IV.
- People already receiving pertuzumab and trastuzumab in combination with chemotherapy may now receive Phesgo, in addition to new patients. People with HER2 positive breast cancer may be given Phesgo either:
- To treat early breast cancer – either as a neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment.
- To treat secondary breast cancer.